Apparatus for magnetically treating seeds

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for magnetically treating seeds comprising a magnet for producing a magnetic field and a conduit for seeds extending through the magnetic field and having a fixed directional relationship with respect to the magnetic field. The seeds are caused to roll and tumble as they pass through the magnetic field in the conduit so that each seed is oriented in a multiplicity of positions with respect to the magnetic field during its movement through the magnetic field to thereby reduce the exposure time necessary to induce magnetism in the seeds.

United States Patent Amburn {45] July 11, 1972 [54] APPARATUS FORMAGNETICALLY TREATING SEEDS [72] Inventor: Raymond D. Ambum, H420 CanalRoad.

Sterling Heights, Mich. 48078 [22] Filed: July 27, 1970 [2]} Appl.No.:$8,484

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.740,572, June 27,

1968, abandoned.

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[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS |,972,050 8/1934 Davis..47/l.3 UX

2,064,522 12/1936 Davis 47/ LJ UX FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 60l.78! 5/ l948 Great Britain Primary Examiner-Robert E. BagwillAttorney-McGlynn, Reising, Milton & Ethington ABSTRACT Apparatus formagnetically treating seeds comprising a magnet for producing a magneticfield and a conduit for seeds extending through the magnetic field andhaving a fixed directional relationship with respect to the magneticfield. The seeds are caused to roll and tumble as they pass through themagnetic field in the conduit so that each seed is oriented in amultiplicity of positions with respect to the magnetic field during itsmovement through the magnetic field to thereby reduce the exposure timenecesary to induce magnetism in the seeds.

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ATTORNEYS APPARATUS FOR MAGNETICALLY TREATING SEEDS This application isa continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 740,572filed June 27, 1968, and now abandoned, the entire disclosure of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

This invention relates generally to the magnetic treatment of seeds andis particularly concerned with apparatus for moving seeds through amagnetic field in such a manner that the seeds are oriented in amultiplicity of positions relative to the magnetic field in a shortlength of time to reduce the exposure time necessary for adequatemagnetic treatment of the seeds.

It has long been known that the rate of germination of seeds and therate of plant growth from seeds is affected by magnetism. Thisphenomenon is discussed in the summer, 1968 issue of Canada Agriculturein an article entitled, Biomagnetisma Mysterious Plant Growth Factor,"by U. J. Pittman.

Insofar as the effects of magnetism on the germination rate of seeds isconcerned, the exact type of action that takes place is not completelyknown. However, when a seed is placed between the North and South polesof a regular horseshoe magnet for a period of time, it is known that theseed will germinate faster and larger than plants from seeds not sotreated. As is pointed out in the Pittman article referred to in thepreceding paragraph, seeds that have been placed in a stationaryposition between the poles of a permanent magnet for periods of up to240 hours prior to planting germinate faster and grow more during theseedling stage.

The present invention results from attempts by the inventor to reducethe necessary exposure time for seeds to become adequately treated bymagnetism so that seeds can be magnetically treated on a productionbasis. It is believed that the success of the present invention is dueto the fact that the time required to adequately magnetically treat aseed depends to a large extent on the position of the seed with respectto the magnetic field, and that there is an ideal position for each seedwith respect to the magnetic field in which the seed will become almostinstantaneously energized by the magnetic field. It is believed thatmagnetism is induced into a seed through the RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)molecule, and that the RNA molecules orient themselves with the magneticfield when the seed is placed in the magnetic field. If the seed wereplaced in the ideal position within the magnetic field, the effects ofthe magnetism would be induced in the seed almost instantaneously. Aspointed out above, if a seed is placed in a stationary position, it willbecome magnetized after an exposure time of 240 hours which appears toindicate that under the worst circumstances, that is, with the seed inthe worst possible orientation with respect to the field, the seed willbe magnetized after a period of 240 hours.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide apparatus formagnetically treating seeds to increase their germination and growthrate in which the exposure time in the magnetic field is reduced to theextent that a large quantity of seeds can be adequately treated in ashort period of time.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus for producing amagnetic field with a conduit for seeds extending through the magneticfield and means for causing the seeds to assume a multiplicity ofpositions while in the magnetic field to substantially reduce theexposure time necessary to adequately treat the seeds.

Another object is to provide portable, self contained mag netictreatment apparatus capable of treating a large quantity of seeds in ashort period of time under field conditions with a minimum amount ofskill required for the operation of the apparatus.

'Still another object is to provide portable apparatus for treating alarge quantity of seeds including a magnet for producing a magneticfield; means defining a conduit for seeds extending through the magneticfield and having a fixed directional relationship with respect to themagnetic field, and means for causing seeds passing through the magneticfield in the conduit to roll and tumble while in the magnetic field sothat each seed is oriented in a multiplicity of positions with respectto the magnetic field during its movement through the magnetic field toreduce the exposure time for the seed necessary for adequate magnetictreatment to a matter of seconds.

An achievement of the foregoing, and other objects, apparatus accordingto the present invention includes a magnet for producing a magneticfield with a conduit extending through the magnetic field and associatedwith the magnet such that it has a fixed directional relationship withrespect to the magnetic field produced by the magnet. Seeds fed throughthe conduit are caused to roll and tumble while in the magnetic field sothat each seed is oriented in a multiplicity of positions with respectto the magnetic field during its movement through the magnetic field sothat each seed has a substantial chance of becoming fully magnetized bythe magnetic field.

In one embodiment of the invention, the conduit is provided by a tube ofnon-ferrous material such as aluminum, olyvinyl chloride and otherplastic materials. An electromagnet is mounted on the tube intermediatethe ends of the tube with the windings of the electromagnet wrappedaround the tube. Accordingly, energization of the electromagnet sets upa field of magnetic flux within the tube.

A conveyor assembly is enclosed by the tube for moving the seeds in acontinuous stream through the magnetic field. The conveyor assemblyincludes an auger that conveys the stream of seeds through the tube at arate such that the seeds roll and tumble while in the magnetic field andare disposed in a multiplicity of positions with respect to the magneticfield as they pass through the conduit. The rolling and tumbling motionof the seeds is augmented by the action of the seeds against the surfaceof the helical flight of the auger.

In another embodiment of the invention, the turbulent, rolling andtumbling motion of the seeds is enhanced by reducing the cross-sectionof the shaft of the auger in the area of the magnetic field so thatthere is an abrupt change in the volume of the conduit when the seedsreach the magnetic field. The rolling and tumbling motion of the seedsis further enhanced by positioning the auger and tube in an inclinedposition with respect to the surface. The effects of gravity due to theinclination of the tube and auger increases the turbulent motion of theseeds in the magnetic field and increases the tendency of the seeds tomove around the axis of the auger during rotation of the auger.

In another embodiment of the invention, a plurality of deflectingelements is mounted in the tube in the path of movement of seeds passingthrough the magnetic field for causing a rolling and tumbling motion ofthe seeds through the magnetic field. With this arrangement, the seedscan be fed by gravity through the magnetic field from a feed hopperpositioned above the upper end of the tube defining the conduit of theseeds.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will becomeapparent from the following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is a sectional elevational view of one form of apparatusembodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of apparatus embodying the invention in asecond form,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on lines 3-3 of FIG. 2-,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on lines S5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram for the apparatus of either FIG. I or FIG.2;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating an alternativeconstruction;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of apparatus embodying the invention inanother form; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on lines 9-9 of FIG. 8.

The apparatus shown in FIG. I is collectively designated by referencenumeral 1 and comprises a magnet E mounted on a tube 4 defining atubular conduit for seeds extending through the magnetic field producedby the magnet, the tubular conduit 4 having a fixed directionalrelationship with respect to the magnetic field. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, seeds are caused to move through the magnetic field of magnet Ewith a rolling and tumbling motion by a conveyor assembly including anauger 6. The tubular conduit 4 is of material that has little, if any,tendency to become magnetized, and will offer little or no interferenceto the field of magnet E. For example, tube 4 may be of non-ferrousmaterial such as plastic or aluminum.

The auger 6 is coaxially mounted within tube 4 and includes a shaft 10extending along the axis of tube 4 and a helical flight 12 mounted onand wound around shaft 10. The outer peripheral edge 14 of the helicalflight 12 is in close proximity with the inner surface 16 of tube 4 toreduce the likelihood of seeds passing between, or becoming trappedbetween, the auger and the inner wall of the tube.

The magnet E comprises an electromagnet which is mounted on the tube 4such that the tube 4 extendscoaxially through the magnet and through themagnetic field produced thereby. The windings of the magnet are wrappedaround the tube 4 so that when the magnet is energized, a magnetic fieldis provided within tube 4 in the path of seeds moving through the tube.The tube 4 of course has a fixed directional relationship with themagnetic field since the windings of the magnet in FIG. 1 are fixed withrespect to the tube.

Tube 4 is formed with end wall members 18 and 20, and end portions 22and 24 of the auger shaft 10 are respectively mounted in end wallmembers 18 and by conventional bearing assemblies. The upper end portion24 is reduced in cross section and is received in a bearing assembly 25mounted in end wall member 20. The lower end 22 of shaft 10 is receivedin a bearing assembly 23 mounted in end wall member 18. Formed on theshaft adjacent end portion 22 is a radially outwardly extending collaror flange 21 which abuts the inner surface of end wall member 18.

Formed in the side wall of tube 4 adjacent end wall member 18 is aninlet opening 26, and formed in the side wall of tube 8 near end wallmember 20 is a discharge opening 28. The discharge opening 28 is on theopposite side of the axis of tube 4 from inlet opening 26. Mounted inthe discharge opening 28 is a spout 30, and a feed hopper 32 has itsoutlet end 34 received in the inlet opening 26. Suspended from thedischarge spout is a container 36 for receiving seeds expelled from tube4 through discharge spout 30.

The tube 4 is supported in an inclined position by front support legs 40and rear support legs 42 with the discharge opening 28 elevated withrespect to the inlet opening 26, legs 42 being shorter than legs 40. Aslide valve 38 of conventional construction is mounted on the side wallof tube 8 adjacent the inlet opening 26 for selectively adjusting thesize of the inlet opening 26 to regulate the flow of seeds from hopper32 into the inlet end 27 of tube 4. For driving the auger 6, aconventional electric motor M is mounted on the side wall of tube 4adjacent the end wall 20 with its output shaft 46 in driving engagementwith the auger 6 through gears 48 and 50 mounted respectively on shaft46 and the end portion 24 of auger 6.

The windings of the electromagnet E are enclosed by a cover including acylindrical sheath or casing SI and annular end walls 52 and 53,elements 51, 52 and 53 being of plastic or other non-magnetic material,or material that will not act to significantly decrease the intensity ofthe magnetic field generated by the electromagnet E when the magnet isener gized.

A circuit diagram for the motor and electromagnet E is illustrated inFIG. 6. In FIG. 6, an auto transformer 60, as well as the motor M, areconnected with a lIO V power source through a switch 62. The output ofthe auto transformer is provided by a variable tap 64 connected with afull wave rectifier 66 having four silicon diodes or rectifiers 68. Theelectromagnet E is connected in series with the variable tap 64. Theposition of the variable tap determines the voltage output of thetransformer 60, and hence the current to the electromagnet E. An ammeter70 is connected in series with the electromagnet E to provide anindication of the current flow through the electromagnet, and hence theintensity of the magnetic field.

When switch 62 is closed, the electromagnet E and the motor M are bothenergized to respectively cause rotation of auger 6 and to produce amagnetic field within tube 4, the intensity of the magnetic field beingdetermined by the position of the variable tap 64. When seed is fed fromhopper 32 into the inlet end 27 of tube 4 at a rate determined by theposition of the slide valve 38, the auger 6 causes the seeds to movethrough the field of the magnet E with a turbulent rolling and tumblingmotion so that each seed assumes almost every conceivable position ororientation with respect to the magnetic field as it passes through themagnetic field set up in the length of tube 4 on which the magnet E ismounted. By moving the slide valve 38 toward the right as viewed in FIG.I, the size of the inlet opening into tube 4 is increased, andconversely, movement of slide valve 38 toward the left in FIG. 1decreases the size of the inlet opening. As the seed moves through themagnetic field, the rolling and tumbling motion of the seeds is enhancedby the action of centrifugal force on the seed due to the frictionalengagement of the seed with the surfaces of the auger. The turbulentrolling and tumbling motion of the seed is further enhanced by theinclined position of the auger and tube due to the action of gravity.

The above described apparatus has been successfully tested with avariety of crops. In each case, crop yield was increased with seedstreated by the apparatus over that of untreated seeds. Examples of cropstested are set forth below. The apparatus used to treat the seeds setforth in the following examples consisted of a tube 4 of polyvinylchloride having an outer diameter of four inches and a wall thickness of0.l50 inches. The electromagnet E comprised 13,800 turns of No. 28 gaugecopper wire wound around the tube over an axial length of 5 inches (ie,between members 5] and S3 of FIG. I). The auger material was 1020 coldrolled steel with a shaft diameter of I it inches. The pitch (P inFIG. 1) of the auger flight was approximately 3 inches. The auger wasdriven at a speed of approximately 400 revolutions per minute. The seedswere fed through the apparatus at a rate of approximately 60 bushels perhour, or 8 cubic feet per hour, or more. The seed was subjected to amagnetic field intensity averaging approximately I00 gauss in the spacebetween the outer surface of shaft 10 and the inner surface 16 of tube4. Measurements of the field intensity were taken by a gauss meter atthe inner surface of the tube approximately at point a in FIG. I, atapproximately halfway between the outer surface of the auger shaft andthe inner surface of the tube at approximately point b in FIG. 1, and athe outer surface of the auger shaft at approximately point c in FIG. 1.Points 0, b, and c in FIG. 1 are located substantially the midpoint ofthe axial length of magnet E. The field intensity measured approximately110 gauss, and gauss at points a, b, and c, respectively. The currentflow through the winding of the magnet was approximately two am peresfrom a l lO-volt power source. In tests other than those describedbelow, an average field intensity of 200 gauss was obtained with acurrent of 3.5 amperes. In the following examples, the terms "treatedseeds" and treated crops refer to seeds treated by the above describedapparatus, that is to say, all of the test examples set forth belowrefer to tests carried out by the above described apparatus.

EXAMPLE I In this test, corn, both treated and untreated, was planted ina two acre field. Untreated seed was planted in six rows each one-halfmile long, and treated seed was planted in six rows each one-half milelong. The yield from the untreated corn was 160.6 bushels per acre. Theyield from the treated corn was I70.6 bushels per acre.

EXAMPLE II In this test, treated and untreated sugar beets were plantedin a 19.9 acre field in adjoining portions of the field. The treatedseeds were treated by the above'described apparatus one week beforeplanting. The treated and untreated seeds were planted at the same time.8.32 acres of crop from the untreated seed and 6.88 acres of crop fromthe treated seeds were harvested over a three day period. The totalweight of the crop from the untreated seeds was 318,915 lbs. The totalweight of the crop from the treated seeds was 270,529 lbs. The yield ofthe untreated seeds was 38,331 bushels per acre, while the yield fromthe treated seeds was 39,321 bushels per acre. The sugar test for theuntreated seeds indicated 15.81 percent. The sugar test for the treatedcrop indicated 16.12 percent. The amount of sugar per acre from theuntreated crop was 6,060 lbs., and the amount of sugar per acre obtainedfrom the treated seeds was 6,338 lbs. (Note that the harvesting tookplace over a three-day period instead of all on the same day).

EXAMPLE III In this test, 6 acres of treated and untreated oats wereplanted. The treated seed was treated by the apparatus described above 1day before planting. The treated and untreated seeds were planted on thesame day. The seedlings from the treated seed emerged approximately twodays ahead of the seedlings from the untreated seed. The crop from thetreated seed was observed to have grown faster and to have heavier andlarger kernels throughout the growth period. At harvest, the untreatedseed yielded 45 bushels per acre, while the treated seed yielded 79bushels per acre.

EXAMPLE IV In this test, 6 acres of sorghum was planted partially withtreated seeds, and partially with untreated seeds. The yield from thetreated seeds was 13 percent greater than the yield from the untreatedseed. A protein analysis indicated 9.3 percent for the crop from theuntreated seed, and 11.1 percent for the crop from the treated seed.

EXAMPLE V In this test, snap beans were planted in two adjacent rows,one row being planted with treated seeds and the other row being plantedwith untreated seeds. The untreated row yielded 40 lbs. of beans, andthe treated row yielded 64.5 lbs. of beans, or 60 percent more beansthan the untreated row.

EX AMPLE VI In this test, treated and untreated wheat was planted in a400-acre field. The crop from the treated seed emerged 2 days earlierthan the untreated seed, and the yield per acre for the treated seed was20 percent more than the yield per acre for the untreated seed. Thestooling for the treated seed was percent greater than for the untreatedseed. The kernels of the crop from the treated seed were approximately10 percent larger than the kernels from the untreated crop. The headingsfor the treated crop were approximately a half inch larger than for theuntreated crop. A protein analysis showed the treated wheat running at12.90 percent and the untreated wheat at 10 percent.

EXAMPLE VII An 80-acre field was planted with corn. One-half of the seedwas treated with the apparatus described above and the other half wasuntreated. The field was planted in alternate strips of eight rows oftreated and eight rows of untreated seed across the field. The widthbetween the rows was 30 inches. The field was planted at a density of22,000 plants per acre. The entire field was planted on the same day.The entire field was harvested on the same day, the treated anduntreated crop being kept separate. The crop yield from the treatedseeds was 118 bushels per acre, while the crop yield from the untreatedseeds was 108 bushels per acre.

EXAMPLE VIII In this test, treated and untreated soy beans were plantedin four 30 inch rows. The untreated crop yield was 34.8 bushels per acrewith a moisture content of 17.87 percent. The treated crop yield was44.5 percent bushels per acre with a moisture content of 14.27 percent.

EXAMPLE IX In this test, corn was planted in a 3.68 acre field. One-halfof the field was planted with seed treated with the above ap paratus oneday before planting, and the other half of the field was planted withuntreated seed so that the field included 1.84 acres of treated seed and1.84 of untreated seed. The entire field was harvested on the same dayand the treated and untreated crop were kept separate. The weight of thecrop from the untreated seed was 12,350 lbs. The moisture content of theuntreated crop was 32.5 percent. The untreated crop produced 119bushels. The crop from the treated seed tas seled four to 5 days earlierthan the crop from the untreated seed. The weight of the crop harvestedfrom the treated seed was 13,020 lbs. The moisture content of thetreated crop was 32 percent and the yield from the treated crop was 126bushels.

EXAMPLE X In this test, a 25-acre field was planted with corn. Twentyacres of the field were planted with untreated seed and five acres wereplanted with treated seed. The treated seed was treated one day beforeplanting. 1.33 acres of the crop from the treated seed and 1.33 acres ofcrop from the untreated seed were harvested on the same day. The weightof the crop from the untreated seed was 7,960 lbs. and yield per acre ofNo. 2 corn was 90.1 bushels. The weight of the crop from the treatedseed was 8,380 lbs. and the yield per acre of No. 2 corn was 96.3bushels.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is collectively designated by referencenumeral 101 and includes a magnet E mounted on a tubular conduit 104,the magnet E and tubular conduit 104 being of substantially the sameconstruction as the tubular conduit 4 and magnet E of the embodiment ofFIG. 1. The electromagnet E is mounted on the tubular conduit 104between the ends thereof for providing a magnetic field within theconduit 104. As in the previously described embodiment, theelectromagnet E may comprise a coil winding wrapped around the conduit104 and extending along a portion of the axial length of the conduit104. As in the previously described embodiment, a cover of non-magneticmaterial is mounted on the conduit and enclosed the coil winding, thecover comprising a cylindrical sheath or casing 152 and annular endmembers 151 and 153 (FIG. 4).

The tubular conduit 104 has an inlet opening 126 spaced from theelectromagnet E (FIG. 5), and an outlet or discharge opening in which ismounted a discharge spout 130 (FIG. 2). The inlet opening 126 is cutfrom the side wall of tube 104 in the embodiment of FIG. 5, and includesaxially spaced end edges 127 and 128 joined by side edges 129. An auger106 is mounted in the conduit 104 for rotation with respect to theconduit. Auger 106 includes a shaft 110 coaxial with the conduit 104,and a helical flight 112 for moving seeds from the inlet 126 to thedischarge spout 130. A motor M is drivingly engaged with anger I06 andis operable to drive the auger to move the seeds through the conduit 104from the inlet 126 to the outlet and discharge spout 130, and at thesame time cause the seeds to roll and tumble as they move through theconduit so the seed is oriented in a multiplicity of positions withrespect to the field of the electromagnet E as it passes through thefield.

With reference to FIG. 4, the portion 111 of shaft 110 coextensive withthe axial length of the electromagnet E is reduced in cross-section toprovide an abruptly increased volume within the conduit 104 for theseeds as the seeds move into the field of magnet E to increase theturbulent rolling and tumbling motion of the seeds. 1n the embodimentshown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the helical flight 112 is separated at its innerperiphery from the reduced cross-section portion 111 of shaft 110. Inapparatus according to the construction of FIG. 2 that has beensuccessfully tested, the diameter of the shaft 110 is 1 i; inches, andthe diameter of the reduced portion is one-half inch.

Nylon bristles 113 are mounted on the helical flight 112 and form theouter periphery of the helical flight 112. The bristles 113 projecttoward the inner surface 116 of the tube 104. The provision of thebristles at the periphery of the auger flight reduces the likelihood ofseeds being damaged between the auger flight and the inner surface ofthe tube.

The apparatus of FIG. 2 includes a hopper 132 mounted on the tubularconduit 104. Hopper 132 has a central trough portion 134 which receivesthe tube 104. A pair of bottom wall panels 136 project outwardly fromthe upper edges of the trough portion 134 and lie in a plane generallyparallel to the axis of the tube 104. A strap member 137 extends overthe upper surface of tube 104 and has its ends secured to the bottomwall panels 136 by conventional fasteners. The hopper further includes arear wall 138 which projects upwardly from the rear edges of the bottomwall panels 136 that are adjacent the rear edge 127 of the inlet opening126, and extends upwardly in a plane substantially perpendicular to theaxis of the conduit 104, the inlet opening 126 extending forwardly fromthe rear wall 138 and the rear edges of the bottom wall panels 136. Apair of side walls 140 extends between the forward edges of the bottomwall panels 136 and the rear wall 138. Front panels 141 extenddownwardly in FIG. 2 from the forward edges of the bottom wall panels136 and a peripheral outwardly extending flange 143 is formed along theedges of the rear walls, side walls, and front panels 141.

A perforated plate 142 overlys the inlet opening 126 and extends betweenthe bottom wall panels 136 and the side and rear walls for regulatingthe flow of seeds into the inlet opening 126.

The tubular conduit 104 includes a portion 144 which projects beyond therear wall 138 of the hopper on the opposite side of the rear wall 138from the inlet opening 126 as shown in FIG. 5. A rear support member 146is mounted on the end of the end portion 144 of tube 104 for supportingthe inlet end of the tube. The support member 146 is in the form of aplate having a lower edge projecting beneath the trough portion 134 ofthe hopper, and a supporting flange 148 projecting rearwardly from thelower edge of the plate 146. The discharge end of the conduit 104 issupported by a front support member 150 (FIG. 2) secured to the tube 104on the opposite side of the electromagnet from the rear support member146. The from support member projects from tube 104 a greater distancethan the rear support member 146 so that the tube 104 is supported in aninclined position with the outlet 130 raised with respect to the inlet126 in a manner similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1. A bearing assembly152 is mounted on the rear support plate 146, and one end 154 of theauger shaft 110 is rotatably supported in the bearing assembly 152.

The front supporting member 150 includes a pair of legs 1S2 projectingupwardly from a base member 154. The legs I52 have their upper endsreceived in socket members 156 mounted on the opposite sides of asupport bracket 158 secured to the upper end of tube 104 by conventionalU-Bolts or the like. Braces 153 extend between the legs 152 near theupper ends thereof. Bracket 158 supports the motor M and a control box160 containing the auto transformer and ammeter for the electromagnet E.The drive mechanism between the shaft of the motor M and the shaft ofthe auger 106 is covered by a shield 162. The drive between motor M andthe auger 106 is transmitted by gears or pulleys in a manner similar tothat disclosed in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

Thus, the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 comprises a magnet E for producing amagnetic field; means 104 defining a path for seeds through the magneticfield, and means 106 for causing seeds to roll and tumble while in themagnetic field to vary the orientation of each seed with respect to themagnetic field as it passes through the magnetic field. The conduit 104is of polyvinyl plastic or other material that is relativelynon-magnetic, or anti-ferromagnetic, as in the previously describedembodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a variation in the construction of the auger.Reference numeral 106' includes a shaft and a helical flight 112'. Theshaft 110' has a reduced diameter portion 111' that extends through thefield of magnet E to provide the abruptly increased space for the seedsas the seeds travel through the field of magnet E. The construction ofauger 106' is similar to the construction of auger 106 except that thehelical flight 112' is not provided with bristles but instead theperiphery 114 of the flight 112' extends into close proximity with theinner surface of the tube 104. The inner periphery of the helical flight112' may also be spaced from the surface of the reduced portion 111' asis the case with the embodiment of FIG. 4.

Experimentation to date has indicated that the rate of germination andgrowth of the plants from magnetically treated seeds is also influencedby the temperature of the seeds at the time of treatment as well as themoisture content of the seeds at the time of treatment. Accordingly, inthe apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, heating means is mounted onthe con duit for heating seeds between the inlet 126 and theelectromagnet E. The heating means in the illustrated embodimentcomprises an infra-red heating element mounted in the wall of theconduit 104 between the inlet 126 and the electromagnet B so that theradiation from the infra-red heating element 170 will increase thetemperature of the seeds prior to their entry into the field of theelectromagnet E.

in order to protect the infra-red heating element 170 from possibledamage by the turbulent motion of the seeds as the seeds move throughthe conduit 104, a shield 172 of trans parent plastic, or some othermaterial that passes infra-red radiation, is mounted in the wall of tube104. The infra-red heating element 170 is connected in the circuit ofthe motor and auto-transformer as illustrated in the circuit diagram ofFIG. 6. The infra-red heating element can thus raise the temperature ofthe seeds to the desired level prior to entry of the seeds into thefield of the electromagnet E. Moisture can be added to the seeds priorto feeding the seeds into the hopper as desired by a humidifier.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of the invention whereinseeds are fed by gravity through the magnetic field for treatment. Theapparatus shown in H0. 8 is collec' tively designated by referencenumeral 201 and comprises an electromagnet E mounted on a tubularconduit 204 of plastic or other relatively non-magnetic material. Aplurality of deflecting elements collectively designated by referencenumeral 206 are mounted in the tubular conduit within the field of themagnet E. The deflecting elements 206 each comprises a rod of plastic orother relatively non-magnetic material. Each of the rods has its endsmounted in the wall of the tube 204. in FIG. 8, the rods arerespectively individually designated by reference characters a, b, c, d,e,f, g, 11,], k, m and n.

Rods a-n are successively axially spaced along the length of the tube,and each extends diametrically across tube 204 transversely of thelongitudinal axis of tube 204. As shown most clearly in FIG. 9, each ofthe rods a-n is disposed angularly about the axis of tube 204 withrespect to the adjacent rod. Thus, the upper rod 0 is disposed atapproximately a 45 angle with the adjacent rod 12 which in turn isdisposed at approximately a 45 angle with respect to rod 0, and soforth.

Mounted on the tubular conduit 204 is the feed hopper 208 having ahollow, cylindrical mounting portion 210 telescopically mounted on oneend of the tubular conduit 204 and defining a feed opening 212 from thehopper 208 into the end of tube 204. The hopper 208 has a wall portion214 extending outwardly from the mounting portion 210 in a funnel-likemanner.

The rate of flow of seeds from the hopper 208 into the upper end of tube204 is controlled by a seed metering member 216 carried at one end of arod 218 mounted on a cross bar 220. The cross bar 220 extendsdiametrically across the hopper 208 with its opposite end secured in aconventional manner to opposite surfaces of the wall 214 of hopper 208.Rod 218 is adjustably mounted in the cross bar 220 and is formed at itsupper end with an eyelet 222. Rod 218 is threaded at 224 adjacent theeyelet 222 for adjustment relative to a nut 226 secured to the uppersurface of the cross bar 220. The lower end of the rod is threaded asshown at 228 for threaded engagement with nuts 230 and 232 foradjustably securing the metering member 216 relative to the feed openin212. The metering member 216 is in the form ofa conical, hollow plasticmember; and adjustment of the metering member 216 axially relative tothe feed opening 212 varies the size of the opening and hence the rateof flow of seeds from hopper 208 into the upper end of tube 204.

The coil windings of the electromagnet E are enclosed by an outercylindrical casing 234 which is concentric with the tubular conduit 204and has one end 236 which projects axially beyond the inlet end of thetubular conduit 204 for engagement with the outer surface of theupwardly extending wall 214 of the hopper 208. End 236 of the casing 234is outwardly flared to better receive the outwardly flared wall 214 ofthe hopper. An annular end cover member 238 overlys one end of thewindings of magnet E adjacent the inlet end of the tubular conduit 204and extends between the outer casing 234 and the outer surface of tube204. The end cover 238 is formed within inner flange 240 engaging thelower end of the mounting portion 210 and defines a support for thehopper mounting por tion 210. A similar end cover 242 extends betweenthe lower end of the outer casing 234 and the outer surface of tube 204for covering the lower end of the windings of the electromagnet E. Asupporting flange 244 projects radially outwardly from the casing 234for supporting the assembly over a feed chute or the like for feedingseeds into a suitable container.

In the apparatus of FIGS. 8 and 9, the seeds are fed into the upper endof tube 204 and are caused to roll and tumble while in the field ofmagnet E by the deflecting elements 206 a-n so that each seed assumes avariety of positions relative to the magnetic field as it passes throughthe magnetic field. As the seeds fall through the tube 204, the rods aninterrupt the travel of the seeds through the magnetic field and causethe seed to bounce back and forth between the rods and inner sur face oftube 204.

Apparatus has been constructed and successfully tested according to theconstruction of FIGS. 8 and 9 wherein the tube 204 is of polyvinylchloride material having an outer diameter of approximately 4 inches anda wall thickness of (H50 inches. The electromagnet E consists of 13,800turns of No. 28 gauge copper wire, and seeds were successfully treatedwith the intensity of the magnetic field as measured by a gauss meterwas approximately I I gauss adjacent the inner surface of tube 204 atapproximately point x in FIG. 8, and approximately 75 gauss at thecenter line of the tube at approximately point y in FIG. 8 andapproximately 100 gauss at approximately point z in FIGv 8. Point 1 islocated at half the radial distance from the center line to the innersurface of tube 204.

In each of the embodiments, it is estimated that each seed is in themagnetic field for approximately three seconds during which time theseed is caused to assume numerous positions with respect to the magneticfield.

There have been some indications that greater success was provided intreatment of the seeds when the North pole of the electromagnet E islocated on the inlet side of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2, and on thelower side of the apparatus of FIG. 8.

While several specific forms of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed in the accompanying drawings and the foregoing specifications,the invention is not limited to the exact construction shown.Alternative construction and arrangement of parts, all falling withinthe scope and spirit of the invention, will be apparent to those skilledin the art.

Iclaim:

1. Apparatus for magnetically treating seeds comprising: a magnet forproducing a magnetic field; conduit means secured to the magnet andextending through the magnetic field thereof for conducting seedsthrough the magnetic field; and means in said conduit for causing seedsmoving through the magnetic field in said conduit to roll and tumblewhile in the magnetic field tO vary the orientation of each seed withrespect to the magnetic field as it passes through the magnetic field toinduce magnetism in the seeds.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said conduit comprises atube.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means for causing seedsto roll and tumble in the magnetic field comprises a conveyor assemblysupported in said tube and operable to move seeds in a continuous streamthrough the mag netic field.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said conveyor assemblyincludes an auger.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said auger in cludes a shaftextending along the axis of said tube and a helical flight on saidshaft, said tube being formed with end wall members at opposite endsthereof, said shaft being rotatably supported in said end wall members.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said magnet comprises anelectro-magnet mounted on said tube such that the tube extends coaxiallythrough said magnet.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said tube is formed with aninlet opening spaced from said magnet, and a discharge opening spacedfrom said magnet on the opposite side thereof from said inlet opening.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 including support means mounted onsaid tube for supporting said tube in an inclined position with thedischarge opening elevated with respect to the inlet opening.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the portion of the shaft ofsaid auger that is coextensive with said magnet is reduced incross-section to provide an abruptly increased volume at said magnet forseeds moving through the tube to increase the rolling and tumblingmotion of the seeds in the magnetic field.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein bristles are mounted on saidhelical flight and project toward the inner surface of said tube withthe ends of said bristles defining the periphery of said helical flight.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said tube has an inletopening spaced from said magnet, and further including heating meansmounted on said tube between said inlet opening and said magnet operableto heat seeds in said tube as they move from the inlet opening to themagnetic field.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said heating meanscomprises an infra-red heating element mounted on the wall of said tube,and further including a transparent shield mounted in the wall of saidtube to protect the infra-red heating element without interfering withthe heating action thereof on seeds moving through the tube.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the portion of the shaft ofsaid auger that is located within the magnetic field is reduced incross-section to provide an abruptly increased volume for the seeds inthe magnetic field to increase the rolling and tumbling motion of theseeds in the magnetic field.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 including support means mounted onsaid tube for supporting said tube in an inclined position with thedischarge opening elevated with respect to the inlet opening.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 including a feed hopper for feedingseeds into said inlet opening, and means for regulating the flow ofseeds from said feed hopper into said inlet opening.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said last named meanscomprises a perforated baffle plate in said feed hopper overlying theinlet opening.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said last named meanscomprises a slide valve on said tube for selectively adjusting the sizeof said inlet opening.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein bristles are mounted onsaid helical flight and project toward the inner surface of said tubewith the ends of said bristles defining the periphery of said helicalflight.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim [2 wherein bristles are mounted onsaid helical flight and project toward the inner surface of said tubewith the ends of said bristles defining the periphery of said helicalflight.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the portion of the shaft ofsaid auger that is located within the magnetic field is reduced incross-section to provide an abruptly increased volume for the seeds inthe magnetic field to increase the rolling and tumbling motion of theseeds in the magnetic field.

2i. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein bristles are mounted on saidhelical flight and project toward the inner surface of said tube withthe ends of said bristles defining the periphery of said helical fiight.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means for causing seedsto roll and tumble in the magnetic field comprises a plurality ofdeflecting elements mounted in said tube in the path of movement ofseeds passing through the magnetic field.

23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein said deflecting elementseach comprises a rod of non-ferrous material having its ends mounted inthe wall of said tube.

24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein each of said rods extendsdiametrically across said tube transversely of the axis of said tube.

25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 24 wherein said rods are successivelyaxially spaced along the length of the tube within the area of themagnetic field provided by said magnet, and each of said rods isdisposed angularly about the axis of said tube with respect to theadjacent rod.

26. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22 including a feed hopper having anoutlet coaxially disposed with respect to said tube for feeding seedsthrough the magnetic field.

27. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26 wherein said hopper includes afunnel-shaped wall converging toward one end of said tube, and furtherincluding means for regulating the flow of seeds from said feed hopperinto said one end of said tube.

28. Apparatus as claimed in claim 27 wherein said last named meanscomprises a downwardly and outwardly flared distributor selectivelymovable axially relative to said one end of said tube to vary the rateof flow of seeds into the tube and through the magnetic field.

29. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said conduit has an inletopening spaced from said magnet, and further including heating meansmounted on said tube between said inlet opening and said magnet operableto heat seeds in said tube as they move from the inlet opening to themagnetic field.

30. Apparatus as claimed in claim 29 wherein said heating meanscomprises an infra-red heating element mounted on the wall of said tube,and further including a transparent shield mounted in the wall of saidtube to protect the infra-red heating element without interfering withthe heating action thereof on seeds moving through the tube.

31. Apparatus for magnetically treating seeds comprising: a tubularconduit; an electromagnet mounted on said tubular conduit between theends thereof for providing a magnetic field within said conduit, saidelectromagnet comprising a coil winding wrapped around said conduit,said coil winding extending along a portion of the axial length of saidconduit; a cover of non-magnetic material mounted on said conduit andenclosing said coil winding; means defining an inlet for said conduitfor receiving seeds from a supply hopper, said inlet being spaced fromsaid electromagnet, means defining an outlet for said conduit spacedfrom the electromagnet on the opposite side thereof from said inlet;said tube being adapted to be supported in an inclined position withsaid outlet elevated with respect to said inlet opening; an augerreceived in sAid conduit for rotation with respect thereto, said augerhaving a shaft coaxial with said conduit and a helical flight for movingseeds from the inlet to the outlet of said conduit upon rotation of saidauger; support means at the opposite ends of said tube, said shafthaving its opposite ends rotatably supported by said support means; anda motor drivingly engaged with said auger and operable to drive saidauger to move seeds through the conduit from the inlet to the outlet andcause the seeds to roll and tumble as they move through the conduit sothat each seed is oriented in a multiplicity of positions with respectto the field of said electromagnet as it passes through the magneticfield.

32. Apparatus as claimed in claim 31 wherein the shaft of said auger isreduced in cross-section along the axial length of said electromagnet.

33. Apparatus as claimed in claim 32 further including bristles mountedon said helical flight and forming the outer periphery thereof.

34. Apparatus as claimed in claim 33 further including heat ing meansmounted on said conduit for heating seeds between the inlet and saidelectromagnet.

35. Apparatus as claimed in claim 34 wherein said heating meanscomprises an infra-red heating element mounted in the wall of saidconduit between the inlet and the electromagnet.

36. Apparatus as claimed in claim 35 further including a shield mountedin the wall of said conduit between the interior of said conduit andsaid infra-red heating element, said shield being of material thatpasses infra-red radiation.

37. Apparatus as claimed in claim 31 further including bristles mountedon said helical flight and forming the outer periphery thereof.

38. Apparatus as claimed in claim 31 further including heating meansmounted on said conduit for heating seeds between the inlet and saidelectromagnet.

39. Apparatus as claimed in claim 38 wherein said heating meanscomprises an infra-red heating element mounted in the wall of saidconduit between the inlet and the electromagnet.

40. Apparatus as claimed in claim 39 further including a shield mountedin the wall of said conduit between the interior of said conduit andsaid infra'red heating element, said shield being of material thatpasses infra-red radiation.

41. Apparatus as claimed in claim 40 further including bris tles mountedon said helical flight and forming the outer periphery thereof.

42. Apparatus as claimed in claim 31 wherein said inlet is defined by anopening in the side wall of said conduit, said opening having axiallyspaced end edges joined by a pair of side edges.

43. Apparatus as claimed in claim 42 further including a hopper mountedon said conduit; said hopper having a central trough portion receivingsaid conduit, a pair of bottom wall panels projecting outwardly from therespective upper edges of said trough portion and lying in a planegenerally parallel to the axis of said conduit; a rear wall projectingfrom the rear edges of said bottom wall panels adjacent the rear edge ofsaid inlet opening in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis ofsaid conduit such that said inlet opening extends forwardly from therear wall and rear edges of said bottom wall panels, and a pair of sidewalls extending between the forward edges of said bottom wall panels andsaid rear wall.

44. Apparatus as claimed in claim 43 further including a perforatedplate overlying said inlet opening and extending between the bottom wallpanels and side and rear walls.

45. Apparatus as claimed in claim 44 wherein said conduit includes aportion projecting beyond the rear wall of said hopper on the oppositeside thereof from said inlet opening, and further including a rearsupport member mounted on the end of said portion for supporting saidend of said conduit.

46. Apparatus as claimed in claim 45 wherein said rear support membercomprises a plate having a lower edge projecting beneath the troughportion of said hopper, and a supporting flange projecting rearwardlyfrom said lower edge.

47. Apparatus as claimed in claim 46 further including a front supportmember mounted on said conduit on the opposite side of saidelectromagnet from said rear support member, said front support memberprojecting from said conduit a greater distance than said rear supportmember so that said conduit is supported in an inclined position withthe outlet raised with respect to the inlet.

48. Apparatus as claimed in claim 46 further including a bearingassembly mounted on said rear support plate, one end of said auger shaftbeing rotatably supported in said bearing assembly.

49. Apparatus for magnetically treating seeds comprising: a tube ofnon-magnetic material defining a conduit for seeds; an electromagnetmounted on said tube for producing a magnetic field within said tube andcomprising a coil winding wrapped around said tube and capable ofgenerating a magnetic flux field having an intensity of approximately110 gauss at the inner surface of said tube, approximately 75 gauss atthe center of said tube, and approximately 100 gauss at from onehalf totwo-thirds of the radial distance from the center to the inner surfaceof said tube; and means in said tube for causing seeds moving throughthe magnetic field to assume a multiplicity of positions while movingthrough the magnetic field so that the orientation of each seed isvaried as it passes through the magnetic field.

50. Apparatus as claimed in claim 49 wherein said last named meanscomprises an auger extending coaxially through said tube, said augerhaving a shaft coaxial with the axis of said tube and a helical flightoperable upon rotation of said auger to move seeds through said tube andhence through the flux field of said magnet; and a motor operable todrive said auger at a speed of at least 400 revolutions per minute.

51. Apparatus as claimed in claim 50 wherein said tube is of polyvinylchloride and has an outer diameter of approximately four inches and awall thickness of approximately 0.15 inches and wherein the shaft ofsaid auger has a diameter of approximately 1% inches, and the pitch ofsaid helical flight is approximately 3 /4 inches, and said electromagnetextends approximately five inches along the length of said tube.

52. Apparatus as claimed in claim 51 wherein the shaft of said auger isreduced in cross-section to approximately onehalf inch along the lengthof said electromagnet.

53. Apparatus as claimed in claim 52 further including nylon bristlesmounted on said helical flight and forming the outer periphery thereof.

54. Apparatus as claimed in claim 53 wherein the helical flight isunconnected with the auger shaft along the length of said reducedportion only.

55. Apparatus as claimed in claim 51 further including nylon bristlesmounted on said helical flight and forming the outer periphery thereof.

56. Apparatus as claimed in claim 49 wherein said last named meanscomprises a plurality of deflecting elements mounted in said tube in thepath of movement of seeds passing through the field of saidelectromagnet.

57, Apparatus as claimed in claim 56 wherein said deflecting elementseach comprises a rod having its ends mounted in the wall of said tubeand extending diametrically across said tube substantially transverselyof the axis of said tube.

58. Apparatus as claimed in claim 57 wherein said rods are successivelyaxially spaced along the length of the tube within the area of themagnetic field provided by said magnet, and each of said rods isdisposed angularly about the axis of said tube with respect to theadjacent rod.

59. Apparatus as claimed in claim 58 wherein said tube and said rods areof plastic material, and said tube has an outer diameter ofapproximately four inches and a wall thickness of approximately 0.15inches.

60. Apparatus for magnetically treating seeds comprising: a tubularconduit; an electromagnet mounted on said tubular conduit for providinga magnetic field within said tubular conduit; a plurality of deflectingelements mounted in said tubular conduit within the field of saidmagnet; and a feed hopper having a hollow, cylindrical mounting portiontelescopically mounted on one end of said tubular conduit and defining afeed opening, said hopper having a wall portion extending outwardly fromsaid mounting portion.

61. Apparatus as claimed in claim 60 further including a metering membercarried by said hopper and adjustably movable toward and away from saidfeed opening to vary the size of the opening through which the seeds canpass.

62. Apparatus as claimed in claim 60 further including an outercylindrical casing concentric with said tubular conduit and enclosingsaid magnet, one end of said casing projecting axially beyond said oneend of said tubular conduit for engagement with the outer surface of theoutwardly extending wall portion of said hopper.

63. Apparatus as claimed in claim 62 wherein said one end of said outercasing is outwardly flared.

64. Apparatus as claimed in claim 63 including an annular end coveroverlying the end of said magnet adjacent said one end of said tubularconduit and extending between said outer casing and said tubular conduitand defining a support for the end of the mounting portion of saidhopper t i i 1

1. Apparatus for magnetically treating seeds comprising: a magnet forproducing a magnetic field; conduit means secured to the magnet andextending through the magnetic field thereof for conducting seedsthrough the magnetic field; and means in said conduit for causing seedsmoving through the magnetic field in said conduit to roll and tumblewhile in the magnetic field to vary the orientation of each seed withrespect to the magnetic field as it passes through the magnetic field toinduce magnetism in the seeds.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1wherein said conduit comprises a tube.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim2 wherein said means for causing seeds to roll and tumble in themagnetic field comprises a conveyor assembly supported in said tube andoperable to move seeds in a continuous stream through the magneticfield.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said conveyor assemblyincludes an auger.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said augerincludes a shaft extending along the axis of said tube and a helicalflight on said shaft, said tube being formed with end wall members atopposite ends thereof, said shaft being rotatably supported in said endwall members.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said magnetcomprises an electro-magnet mounted on said tube such that the tubeextends coaxially through said magnet.
 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim6 wherein said tube is formed with an inlet opening spaced from saidmagnet, and a discharge opening spaced from said magnet on the oppositeside thereof from said inlet opening.
 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7including support means mounted on said tube for supporting said tube inan inclined position with the discharge opening elevated with respect tothe inlet opening.
 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein theportion of the shaft of said auger that is coextensive with said magnetis reduced in cross-section to provide an abruptly increased volume atsaid magnet for seeds moving through the tube to increase the rollingand tumbling motion of the seeds in the magnetic field.
 10. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 9 wherein bristles are mounted on said helical flightand project toward the inner surface of said tube with the ends of saidbristles defining the periphery of said helical flight.
 11. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 7 wherein said tube has an inlet opening spaced fromsaid magnet, and further including heating means mounted on said tubebetween said inlet opening and said magnet operable to heat seeds insaid tube as they move from the inlet opening to the magnetic field. 12.Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said heating means comprises aninfra-red heating element mounted on the wall of said tube, and furtherincluding a transparent shield mounted in the wall of said tube toprotect the infra-red heating element without interfering with theheating action thereof on seeds moving through the tube.
 13. Apparatusas claimed in claim 12 wherein the portion of the shaft of said augerthat is located within the magnetic field is reduced in cross-section toprovide an abruptly increased volume for the seeds in the magnetic fieldto increase the rolling and tumbling motion of the seeds in the magneticfield.
 14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 including support meansmounted on said tube for supporting said tube in an inclined positionwith the discharge opening elevated with respect to the inlet opening.15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 including a feed hopper for feedingseeds into said inlet opening, and means for regulating the flow ofseeds from said feed hopper into said inlet opening.
 16. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 15 wherein said last named means comprises a perforatedbaffle plate in said feed hopper overlying the inlet opening. 17.Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said last named means comprisesa slide valve on said tube for selectively adjusting the size of saidinlet opening.
 18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein bristles aremounted on said helical flight and project toward the inner surface ofsaid tube with the ends of said bristles defining the periphery of saidhelical flight.
 19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein bristlesare mounted on said helical flight and project toward the inner surfaceof said tube with the ends of said bristles defining the periphery ofsaid helical flight.
 20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein theportion of the shaft of said auger that is located within the magneticfield is reduced in cross-section to provide an abruptly increasedvolume for the seeds in the magnetic field to increase the rolling andtumbling motion of the seeds in the magnetic field.
 21. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 5 wherein bristles are mounted on said helical flightand project toward the inner surface of said tube with the ends of saidbristles defining the periphery of said helical flight.
 22. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 2 wherein said means for causing seeds to roll andtumble in the magnetic field comprises a plurality of deflectingelements mounted in said tube in the path of movement of seeds passingthroUgh the magnetic field.
 23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22 whereinsaid deflecting elements each comprises a rod of non-ferrous materialhaving its ends mounted in the wall of said tube.
 24. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 23 wherein each of said rods extends diametricallyacross said tube transversely of the axis of said tube.
 25. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 24 wherein said rods are successively axially spacedalong the length of the tube within the area of the magnetic fieldprovided by said magnet, and each of said rods is disposed angularlyabout the axis of said tube with respect to the adjacent rod. 26.Apparatus as claimed in claim 22 including a feed hopper having anoutlet coaxially disposed with respect to said tube for feeding seedsthrough the magnetic field.
 27. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26 whereinsaid hopper includes a funnel-shaped wall converging toward one end ofsaid tube, and further including means for regulating the flow of seedsfrom said feed hopper into said one end of said tube.
 28. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 27 wherein said last named means comprises a downwardlyand outwardly flared distributor selectively movable axially relative tosaid one end of said tube to vary the rate of flow of seeds into thetube and through the magnetic field.
 29. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1wherein said conduit has an inlet opening spaced from said magnet, andfurther including heating means mounted on said tube between said inletopening and said magnet operable to heat seeds in said tube as they movefrom the inlet opening to the magnetic field.
 30. Apparatus as claimedin claim 29 wherein said heating means comprises an infra-red heatingelement mounted on the wall of said tube, and further including atransparent shield mounted in the wall of said tube to protect theinfra-red heating element without interfering with the heating actionthereof on seeds moving through the tube.
 31. Apparatus for magneticallytreating seeds comprising: a tubular conduit; an electromagnet mountedon said tubular conduit between the ends thereof for providing amagnetic field within said conduit, said electromagnet comprising a coilwinding wrapped around said conduit, said coil winding extending along aportion of the axial length of said conduit; a cover of non-magneticmaterial mounted on said conduit and enclosing said coil winding; meansdefining an inlet for said conduit for receiving seeds from a supplyhopper, said inlet being spaced from said electromagnet, means definingan outlet for said conduit spaced from the electromagnet on the oppositeside thereof from said inlet; said tube being adapted to be supported inan inclined position with said outlet elevated with respect to saidinlet opening; an auger received in said conduit for rotation withrespect thereto, said auger having a shaft coaxial with said conduit anda helical flight for moving seeds from the inlet to the outlet of saidconduit upon rotation of said auger; support means at the opposite endsof said tube, said shaft having its opposite ends rotatably supported bysaid support means; and a motor drivingly engaged with said auger andoperable to drive said auger to move seeds through the conduit from theinlet to the outlet and cause the seeds to roll and tumble as they movethrough the conduit so that each seed is oriented in a multiplicity ofpositions with respect to the field of said electromagnet as it passesthrough the magnetic field.
 32. Apparatus as claimed in claim 31 whereinthe shaft of said auger is reduced in cross-section along the axiallength of said electromagnet.
 33. Apparatus as claimed in claim 32further including bristles mounted on said helical flight and formingthe outer periphery thereof.
 34. Apparatus as claimed in claim 33further including heating means mounted on said conduit for heatingseeds between the inlet and said electromagnet.
 35. Apparatus as claimedin claim 34 wherein said heating means comprises an infra-red heatingelement mounted in the wall of said conduit between the inlet and theelectromagnet.
 36. Apparatus as claimed in claim 35 further including ashield mounted in the wall of said conduit between the interior of saidconduit and said infra-red heating element, said shield being ofmaterial that passes infra-red radiation.
 37. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 31 further including bristles mounted on said helical flight andforming the outer periphery thereof.
 38. Apparatus as claimed in claim31 further including heating means mounted on said conduit for heatingseeds between the inlet and said electromagnet.
 39. Apparatus as claimedin claim 38 wherein said heating means comprises an infra-red heatingelement mounted in the wall of said conduit between the inlet and theelectromagnet.
 40. Apparatus as claimed in claim 39 further including ashield mounted in the wall of said conduit between the interior of saidconduit and said infra-red heating element, said shield being ofmaterial that passes infra-red radiation.
 41. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 40 further including bristles mounted on said helical flight andforming the outer periphery thereof.
 42. Apparatus as claimed in claim31 wherein said inlet is defined by an opening in the side wall of saidconduit, said opening having axially spaced end edges joined by a pairof side edges.
 43. Apparatus as claimed in claim 42 further including ahopper mounted on said conduit; said hopper having a central troughportion receiving said conduit, a pair of bottom wall panels projectingoutwardly from the respective upper edges of said trough portion andlying in a plane generally parallel to the axis of said conduit; a rearwall projecting from the rear edges of said bottom wall panels adjacentthe rear edge of said inlet opening in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to the axis of said conduit such that said inlet openingextends forwardly from the rear wall and rear edges of said bottom wallpanels, and a pair of side walls extending between the forward edges ofsaid bottom wall panels and said rear wall.
 44. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 43 further including a perforated plate overlying said inletopening and extending between the bottom wall panels and side and rearwalls.
 45. Apparatus as claimed in claim 44 wherein said conduitincludes a portion projecting beyond the rear wall of said hopper on theopposite side thereof from said inlet opening, and further including arear support member mounted on the end of said portion for supportingsaid end of said conduit.
 46. Apparatus as claimed in claim 45 whereinsaid rear support member comprises a plate having a lower edgeprojecting beneath the trough portion of said hopper, and a supportingflange projecting rearwardly from said lower edge.
 47. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 46 further including a front support member mounted onsaid conduit on the opposite side of said electromagnet from said rearsupport member, said front support member projecting from said conduit agreater distance than said rear support member so that said conduit issupported in an inclined position with the outlet raised with respect tothe inlet.
 48. Apparatus as claimed in claim 46 further including abearing assembly mounted on said rear support plate, one end of saidauger shaft being rotatably supported in said bearing assembly. 49.Apparatus for magnetically treating seeds comprising: a tube ofnon-magnetic material defining a conduit for seeds; an electromagnetmounted on said tube for producing a magnetic field within said tube andcomprising a coil winding wrapped around said tube and capable ofgenerating a magnetic flux field having an intensity of approximately110 gauss at the inner surface of said tube, approximately 75 gauss atthe center of said tube, and approximately 100 gauss at from one-half totwo-thirds of the radial distance from the center to the inner surfaceof said tube; and means in said tube for causing seeds moving throughthe magneTic field to assume a multiplicity of positions while movingthrough the magnetic field so that the orientation of each seed isvaried as it passes through the magnetic field.
 50. Apparatus as claimedin claim 49 wherein said last named means comprises an auger extendingcoaxially through said tube, said auger having a shaft coaxial with theaxis of said tube and a helical flight operable upon rotation of saidauger to move seeds through said tube and hence through the flux fieldof said magnet; and a motor operable to drive said auger at a speed ofat least 400 revolutions per minute.
 51. Apparatus as claimed in claim50 wherein said tube is of polyvinyl chloride and has an outer diameterof approximately four inches and a wall thickness of approximately 0.15inches, and wherein the shaft of said auger has a diameter ofapproximately 1 5/8 inches, and the pitch of said helical flight isapproximately 3 3/4 inches, and said electromagnet extends approximatelyfive inches along the length of said tube.
 52. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 51 wherein the shaft of said auger is reduced in cross-section toapproximately one-half inch along the length of said electromagnet. 53.Apparatus as claimed in claim 52 further including nylon bristlesmounted on said helical flight and forming the outer periphery thereof.54. Apparatus as claimed in claim 53 wherein the helical flight isunconnected with the auger shaft along the length of said reducedportion only.
 55. Apparatus as claimed in claim 51 further includingnylon bristles mounted on said helical flight and forming the outerperiphery thereof.
 56. Apparatus as claimed in claim 49 wherein saidlast named means comprises a plurality of deflecting elements mounted insaid tube in the path of movement of seeds passing through the field ofsaid electromagnet.
 57. Apparatus as claimed in claim 56 wherein saiddeflecting elements each comprises a rod having its ends mounted in thewall of said tube and extending diametrically across said tubesubstantially transversely of the axis of said tube.
 58. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 57 wherein said rods are successively axially spacedalong the length of the tube within the area of the magnetic fieldprovided by said magnet, and each of said rods is disposed angularlyabout the axis of said tube with respect to the adjacent rod. 59.Apparatus as claimed in claim 58 wherein said tube and said rods are ofplastic material, and said tube has an outer diameter of approximatelyfour inches and a wall thickness of approximately 0.15 inches. 60.Apparatus for magnetically treating seeds comprising: a tubular conduit;an electromagnet mounted on said tubular conduit for providing amagnetic field within said tubular conduit; a plurality of deflectingelements mounted in said tubular conduit within the field of saidmagnet; and a feed hopper having a hollow, cylindrical mounting portiontelescopically mounted on one end of said tubular conduit and defining afeed opening, said hopper having a wall portion extending outwardly fromsaid mounting portion.
 61. Apparatus as claimed in claim 60 furtherincluding a metering member carried by said hopper and adjustablymovable toward and away from said feed opening to vary the size of theopening through which the seeds can pass.
 62. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 60 further including an outer cylindrical casing concentric withsaid tubular conduit and enclosing said magnet, one end of said casingprojecting axially beyond said one end of said tubular conduit forengagement with the outer surface of the outwardly extending wallportion of said hopper.
 63. Apparatus as claimed in claim 62 whereinsaid one end of said outer casing is outwardly flared.
 64. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 63 including an annular end cover overlying the end ofsaid magnet adjacent said one end of said tubular conduit and extendingbetween said outer casing and said tubular conduit and defining asupport for tHe end of the mounting portion of said hopper.